Straps

The strap is often seen just as an extra to a watch. Not in our eyes. We are of the opinion that the design and quality manufacture of a strap is as important as the watch itself and with strap change becoming as easy as it now is, anyone can team colours and fabrics to complement any selection of clothing.

The strap is often seen just as an extra to a watch. Not in our eyes. We are of the opinion that the design and quality manufacture of a strap is as important as the watch itself and with strap change becoming as easy as it now is, anyone can team colours and fabrics to complement any selection of clothing.

Marathon Watches Ready for Action

Many watch companies try to sell their watches with a military association. It gives an impression of ruggedness and durability that attracts watch fans who lead an active lifestyle. However, to actually find a watch that equips some of the world’s most elite forces and are in daily use in the most hostile environments is much, much harder.

The ‘watch’ was standard issue to many armed forces around the world until the late 1980’s. Then, the advent of cheap quartz watches meant most new soldiers already owned a watch. However, the further development of mobile phones in the 1990’s saw new recruits relying more on their phones for timekeeping. Not exactly an ideal tool to use on the battlefield!

Thus in the first Gulf War of 1990-91, the US army sent out a sudden and urgent request for a true military grade watch. Enter Marathon. Already trusted suppliers of military timekeeping equipment Marathon were already manufacturing watches. In fact Marathon were founded in Switzerland as Weinsturm Watch at the turn of the 20th Century, and in 1939 Morris Wein founded Marathon Watch in Montreal, Canada supplying fine precision timepieces to North America. In 1941 Marathon began manufacturing timing instruments for the allied forces. Today Marathon are owned by the fourth generation of the original family.

With four generations of watchmaking experience, Marathon developed a military watch suitable for all environments and tough enough to survive any challenge the military could expose it too.

Back to the first Gulf War. In 1991, the US army awarded Marathon an order for 60,000 watches. This was, incredibly, increased to 120,000 watches in a matter of minutes. For its extensive service Marathon became known in the military as the watch of choice and today Marathon watches are standard issue for the US Marine Corps and the Department of Homeland Security. As you might guess being a Canadian company Marathon watches are standard issue for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the Mounties) and the Toronto Police Force Emergency Task Force.

As befits its military and utilitarian nature, don’t expect ‘jewellery’ type packaging. Each Marathon Watch is packed in a simple cardboard box and sealed in a fireproof pack bearing its unique NSN (Nato Stock number) and Marathon’s official US Government supplier number.

And now for the significant part of this article. We at Page and Cooper have been in lengthy discussions with The Marathon Watch Company and are proud to announce our appointment as authorised retailer for Europe. This is the first time that Marathon watches have become available to the general public outside of North America and outside of official military supply channels.

Time to buy a watch with a true military pedigree, Swiss made and incredible value. Ready for action!